Boy, 16, admits attempting to murder youth in Clayton-le-Moors

A TEENAGE boy has pleaded guilty to attempted murder after wielding a hammer in a bedroom attack.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted attempting to murder a 17-year-old male who lived at his Clayton-le-Moors address.

After he entered a guilty plea at Preston Crown Court yesterday detectives said they were pleased the victim would now be spared the ordeal of a trial.

Officers investigating the case described the assault, which resulted in a fractured skull, as ‘vicious and unprovoked’.

The victim is said to have recovered after extensive surgery, but still carries ‘mental scars’.

The incident happened in September.

Police were called to an address in Sparth Road, Clayton-le-Moors.

They found the victim had been assaulted inside the property.

And he was in a serious condition.

He was said to have been in bed, when his attacker went into his room and beat him ‘multiple times’ about the head. He sustained serious head injuries and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment.

He was later transferred to Royal Preston Hospital where he underwent explorative and corrective surgery.

He has since made a full physical recovery, police said.

Detective Inspector Mark Vaughton, of Blackburn CID, said: “This was a vicious, unprovoked and sustained assault which left the victim seriously injured.

“While he has made a good recovery from his physical injuries, he still suffers from mental scars.

“I am pleased that the offender has pleaded guilty as this will at least spare the victim the ordeal of a trial.”